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WASHINGTON – Nine new album releases from many of today’s top artists earned Gold or Platinum album certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January and February, according to the music group’s latest G&P tally.

The RIAA awarded first ever Platinum albums, denoting more than one million records sold in the United States, to two recent double-Grammy winners – Daft Punk and Lorde – for their respective 2013 albums “Random Access Memories” (Columbia) and “Pure Heroine” (Lava Records/Republic Records). Additionally, “Royals” brought Lorde a 6x multi-Platinum Digital Single Award denoting more than six million sold counting downloads and streams. 6x multi-Platinum was the RIAA’s highest song honor in January and February, awarded to both “Royals” and Katy Perry’s “Roar” (Capitol Records)!

They join a notable club of musical talents also earning Platinum album awards in January and February including: Beyoncé’s “Beyoncé” (Columbia, her fifth Platinum album), Miley Cyrus’ “Bangerz” (RCA Records, her third), One Direction’s “Midnight Memories” (Syco Music/Columbia, their third), Kanye West’s “Yeezus” (Def Jam, his sixth) and the soundtrack to the animated film “Frozen” (Walt Disney Records). Three hit songs from “Frozen” also certified this winter: “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel certified Platinum, while “Do You Want To Build A Snowman” by Kristin Bell and “Let It Go” by Demi Lovato each earned Gold.

Meanwhile two certifiably popular 2013 albums sold more than 500,000 copies to certify Gold: Darius Rucker’s newest “True Believers” (Capitol Records Nashville, his third Gold album) and OneRepublic’s “Native” (Mosley Music/Interscope Records, their third).

Congratulations to Swedish DJ Avicii on receiving his highest RIAA award yet, a 4x multi-Platinum, for his everywhere song “Wake Me Up” (Island Records).

Several talented artists earned entry into RIAA’s Platinum club for surpassing the one million songs sold threshold: Krewella for “Alive” (Columbia), Pearl Jam for “Just Breathe” (MonkeyWrench), Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” (Columbia), YG’s “My Hitta” (Def Jam) and Zendaya’s “Replay” (Hollywood Records).

On the heels of launching a Latin Digital Single Award counting downloads and streams and enacting new Latin G&P Program thresholds in December, RIAA awarded 17 new Latin certifications in January and February.

Prince Royce took home his first triple-Platino Latin Digital Song Award for “Darte Un Beso” (US Latin), marking more than 180,000 sold counting downloads and streams. Also earning high marks, Romeo Santos’ “Odio” featuring Drake (US Latin) certified Oro and Platino for crossing the 60,000 sold threshold.

Five popular Latin albums certified Oro y Platino, while five more earned Oro. Platino awards, marking more than 60,000 units in the United States, went to two Gerardo Ortiz albums “Archivos Di Mi Vida” (US Latin) and “El Primer Ministro” (US Latin), two Prince Royce albums “Soy El Mismo” (US Latin) and “Number 1’s” (Top Stop Music) and one Jenni Rivera album “1969-Siempre” (Fonovisa).

Oro awards, marking more than 60,000 albums sold, were earned by Luis Coronel for “Con La Frente En Alto” (Del Records), Draco for “Vida” (US Latin), various artists for “Sergio George Presents Salsa Giants” (Top Stop Music), Carlos Vives for “Corazon Profundo” and Yandel for “De Lider A Leyenda” (US Latin).

In January and February 47 albums and 76 digital singles were awarded. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com. Be sure to follow @RIAA on Twitter and “Like” the group’s G&P Facebook page (facebook.com/GoldandPlatinum) to get the latest certification news, artists’ award photos and much more!